Fire alarm



Feb. 26, 1952 MQRELAND 2,587,506

FIRE ALARM Filed Nov. 21, 1949 Fig.

George L More/and I N V EN TOR.

Patented Feb. 26, 1952 FICE FIRE ALARM George L. Moreland, Peoria, Ill. Application November 21, 1949, Serial No. 128,521

1 Glaim v (Cl. 200-142) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in fire alarms, and more particularly to a circuit closer for fire alarm systems.

An important object of the invention is to provide a circuit closer for fire alarm systems which is normally held open by fusible means and wherein the circuit is closed by the melting of the fusible means when subjected to predetermined heat or flame.

A further object of the invention is to provide a circuit closer of this character including a case having fusible means at each end to hold the circuit in open position and whereby the circuit will be closed upon the melting of either fusible means.

A still further object is to provide a device of this character of simple and practical construction, which is efiicient and reliable in operation, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, easy to install in a desired location in a building, and which is otherwise well adapted for the purposes for which the same is intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view showing the circuit closer connected to an alarm in a selfcontained fire alarm system;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the circuit closer;

Figure 3 is a similar the alarm; and

Figure 4 is a transverse on a line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, wherein, for the purpose of illustration, I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 5 designates a cylindrical metal case having internal ribs 6 and 7 adjacent each end and against which metal washers or disks 8 and 9 are held by fusible disks I and II which may be composed of sealing wax or other suitable fusible material placed in a molten state in the respective ends of the case to seal the ends thereof and to hold the washers 8 and 9 in position therein.

Each washer is formed with a central opening I2 and in which rods I3 and M are respectively positioned in spaced relation from the washers to project outwardly through the adjacent ends of case 5.

view of the housing for sectional view taken A terminal nut I 5 is threaded on the outer end 1 of rod I3 for attaching a circuit wire I6 thereto and the outer end of rod I4 is provided with a head IT. A washer I8 is interposed between terminal nut I5 and fusible disk I0, and washer I8 and head I1 are held against the fusible disks I0 and Ii at the opposite ends of case 5 by a coil spring I9 connecting the inner ends of rods I3 and I4 to each other, and maintained under tension to exert an inward pulling force on the rod.

A second terminal is welded or otherwise suitably secured to case 5 at its end adjacent terminal I5 and a circuit wire 2| is connected to terminal 20 by a nut 22 threaded thereon.

Circuit wires I6 and 2] are connected in a circuit with a dry cell battery 23 and an electric bell or other audible alarm 24, the battery and bell being enclosed in a housing 25.

In the operation of the device, the case 5 and housing 25 are placed in a suitable location in a building and the circuit wires I6 and 2I connect terminals I5 and 20 of the circuit closer with the battery and bell in a self-contained circuit. Should either end of case 5 be subjected to predetermined heat or flame sufficient to melt fusible disks in or II, spring I9 will pull the rods I3 and I4 inwardly, whereby to either contact washer I8 with washer 8 or to contact head I! with washer 9 and thus close the circuit and sound the alarm.

In view of the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it is believed that a clear understanding of the device will be quite apparent to those skilled in this art. A more detailed description is accordingly deemed unnecessary.

It is to be understood, however, that even though there is herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, the same is susceptible to certain changes fully comprehended by the spirit of the invention as herein described and within the scope of the appended claim.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

A circuit closer comprising a metal case, a metal disk in each end of the case and having a central opening, a fixed terminal at one end of the case, a pair of conductor rods projecting outwardly through the openings in the disks at the ends of the case, spring means connected to the inner ends of the rods for moving the rods inwardly and providing a, conductor between the rods, contacts at the outer ends of the rods, one of said rods constituting a second terminal,

3 and non-conductive fusible means sealing the ends of the case and positioned between the disks and the contacts to electrically separate the same from each other, and said fusible means also holding the rods in centrally spaced relation in the openings of the disks.

GEORGE L. MORELAND.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number N umber Name Date Garrett et a1 Apr. 2, 1901 Grifiin Nov. 8, 1904 Gamer Jan. 28. 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Gazeat Britain vMane-tinny 30, 1902 

